Respiratory disease is among the most common health problems in stabled horses. Managing stable air quality through forage choice and ventilation is critical for equine respiratory welfare.
Respiratory disease in horses causes genuine suffering — labored breathing, chronic coughing, and exercise intolerance that prevents horses from fulfilling their purpose without pain. Many horses live with subclinical EAS for years before diagnosis, experiencing chronic airway inflammation. Management changes are highly effective: steam hay or feed haylage; maximize turnout time; use rubber matting to reduce bedding dust; ensure good stable ventilation even in winter; reduce ammonia accumulation through frequent mucking out. These interventions improve both welfare and performance — the alignment between good welfare and productive horse management is clear in respiratory health.